Tornado rips through central New Plymouth
1:41PM Wednesday July 04, 2007
A tornado ripped through New Plymouth early this afternoon lifting roofs, smashing windows and throwing debris around the city centre.
Twenty houses and businesses have borne the brunt of the damage and the roof of a Placemakers store near the coast has been partially lifted off, according to a police source.
A witness said a 10 x 10 metre section of the roof was torn off and landed on around 6 cars, causing extensive damage.
Two shopkeepers on the main street spoken to by the Herald said police and other emergency services are currently on the scene in the area of Molesworth St and Gover St, New Plymouth.
Resident Kathryn Calvert said the city had come to a stand-still.
"It looks like it came up from the sea and it's taken the entire roof off the (Placemakers) building."
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